Henry of Pelham Winery Cuvée Catharine Carte Blanche Blancs De Blanc 2011 Wine Review

Henry of Pelham Winery Cuvée Catharine Carte Blanche Blancs De Blanc 2011

Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada

Community Score:92/100

Community Reviews: 9

Add My Review

Price: $44.95

Drink: 2014-2019

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 12.5%

Sweetness: Dry

Wine Type: Sparkling Wine

Winery: Henry of Pelham

Agent: Henry of Pelham Family Est. Winery

Natalie's Score: 95/100

A spectacular Niagara sparkling wine made from 100% Chardonnay grapes, thus the moniker blanc des blanc (white wine from white grapes). This bubbly won gold at the 2016 Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships. No wonder. It's crisp, toasty and refreshing with gloriously fresh notes of green apple and white peach wrapped in a warm blanket of freshly baked bread and melting butter. Pair with shellfish, fried chicken and potato chips for maximum pleasure. Perfect holiday sparkling wine.

Blancs De Blanc food pairings: shellfish, fried foods, Asian fusion dishes, salad.

Splendid Salad Wine

This Henry of Pelham Winery Cuvée Catharine Carte Blanche Blancs De Blanc 2011 was reviewed on February 6, 2017 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2017 2016 2015 2013 2012

Add New Vintage

Pricing & Stock Information

LCBO
315200
$44.95
621 bottles

Store

Stock

Yonge & Summerhill

Terry Fox & Campeau

Glendale & Merritt

Appleby & New

Front & Spadina

See More Locations Edit Locations

Reviews and Ratings

Neil Phillips rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

Aromas of baked bread, lemon curd, golden delicious and green apples, slight hazelnut. Brioche is evident - no surprise given 54 months on the lees.

On the palate, a very fine, delicate mousse and creamy mouthfeel carries flavours of white grapefruit apple, lemon, biscuits. Finish is medium-plus with a hint of spice, roasted chestnuts.

Outstanding traditional-method sparkler from Ontario. Will easily stand up to finer Champagne.

Tasted December 2016.

Jennifer Havers - WSET Level 3 rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

This is a beautiful wine, and a must try for any Champagne or sparkling lover, as it really showcases what wonderful sparkling wine can be made in Ontario. Made from 100% Chardonnay from the Short Hills Bench vineyard, this wine is aged on lees for 54 months, and the results are lovely texture, creamy but also crisp, with notes of lemon, green apple, warm oak and buttered biscuits. The mousse is tight and persistent and the finish is long. Truly versatile, you could really pair this with anything, just be sure to try it!

Gwen Barton rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Delicious and refreshing sparkling out of Niagara. Notes of fresh sliced apple, melon and tropical fruit. Toast, yeasty notes are present but well integrated with the fruit. Creamy mousse and generous finish. Pair pre-meal with antipasto platter. Thank you Henry of Pelham!

Rachelle O'Connor rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

This sparkling is named after Catharine Smith, widow to Henry and the family matriarch. Hand picked and 100% estate grown Chardonnay from the Short Hills Bench. The best of the best juice goes into the barrel. There are beautiful aromas in the glass: lemon, minerality, brioche, toasted nuts, and hints of apple. This wine bubbles on the palate with a delicate mouthfeel and showcases such beautiful flavors on the palate - fresh lemon, apples and hazelnut biscotti. An award winning sparkling from the highly acclaimed Speck family. Wonderful choice to celebrate any special occasion.

Pamela Chiles rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Competition for the big "veuves" of Champagne! Like them, this widow from Niagara has quite a commanding presence and all the typical attibutes of a fine bubbly - persistent, fine mousse, complex lemony, leesy, yeasty-brioche, biscuity and nutty flavours with a remarkable, long finish. Much respect deserved!

Jane Staples - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

A rich and creamy sparkling wine made from 100% Chardonnay single vineyard hand-picked grapes, showcasing Niagara Peninsula's Short Hills Bench V.Q.A. Up to 54 mos. on lees, giving the luscious creamy texture and flavours.
Nuances of croissants, honey, lemon and crushed macademia/cashew nuts. Good to the last drop! Perfect for celebrating a special occasion- your next job promotion or graduation.
Tasted Jan. 2017

Melissa Pulvermacher reviewed this wine as follows:

Some of my favourite Niagara bubbles. With a note of salinity, bright acidity and green apple with a touch of pastry on the finish, this perfectly balanced wine showcases the Chardonnay grape brilliantly.

If you liked the Henry of Pelham Winery Cuvée Catharine Carte Blanche Blancs De Blanc 2011, you might also like these wines:

Add bottle and/or label shots for this wine
Wineries and agents: Add notes for this wine
Find this wine in other stores

Recipes for Henry of Pelham Winery Cuvée Catharine Carte Blanche Blancs De Blanc 2011

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAIR WINE
& FOOD?

Join me in a free online video class to learn the secrets to perfect pairings.

SAVE MY SEAT!

Wine of the Week

As featured on

Marqués de Murrieta Red Wine
2019,
Rioja D.O.C.A. ...

Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean offers North America's most popular online wine and food pairing classes. She was named the World's Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia.

Natalie has published two books with Random House, both selected as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year.

Join 335,111 thirsty wine lovers who get access to all of her wine reviews by becoming a member of her site. Take a free online pairing class with her here.

FEEL LOST IN THE

LCBO?

Know the wines you want before you even get to the store with my wine reviews. Join now. It's free.

Red, White & Drunk All Over

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean writes about wine with a sensuous obsession... and often laugh-out-loud funny... Terrific.

Rex Pickett, Sideways

Ms. MacLean is the disarming Everywoman. She loves wine, loves drinking ... ultimately, it's a winning formula.

Eric Asimov, The New York Times

GOT A SMARTPHONE?

Access my reviews on mobile with the bar code scanner.

GET NAT'S APP

Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world ‐ a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.

The Financial Times of London

There are very few people in the wine world who "get it" and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.

Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV

Starting a Wine Cellar?

Expert advice for all budgets

From wine racks to underground caves, insider tips on size and space, number of bottles, ideal conditions and reputable resources. learn more

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 335,111 strong:

Henry of Pelham Winery Cuvée Catharine Carte Blanche Blancs De Blanc 2011 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 95/100

Pricing & Stock Information